Devils Rink Report: A New Jersey Devils Podcast with James Nichols

New Jersey Hockey Now
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Hockey
  • Weekly

Devils Rink Report is the New Jersey Devils podcast from New Jersey Hockey Now beat reporter James Nichols. After every Devils game, James and Daniel Amoia host Devils Postgame Live, the NJ Devils postgame show: goals, lines, goaltending, special teams, the chat's best questions, and what's next for the Devils. Plus weekly guest episodes with NHL insiders and voices from around the league, prospect coverage, and breaking trade and roster news. James Nichols is a credentialed Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now and Chair of the PHWA's New Jersey Chapter, covering the NHL since 2015. You may also hear him on SiriusXM NHL Radio. ▶ Watch Devils Postgame Live and join the chat: https://www.youtube.com/@DevilsRinkReport 📰 Devils news and analysis: https://newjerseyhockeynow.com ✅ Follow: @JamesNicholsNHL · @NJDHockeyNow New episodes after every Devils game. Follow the show, and if you like it, leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other Devils fans find us.

  1. 19h ago

    Devils Beat Oilers 4-3: Jack Hughes, Hellebuyck and Hischier Against McDavid

    The New Jersey Devils beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in a shootout on Tue Nov 3, 2026, at Prudential Center. Evan Bouchard put Edmonton up 1-0 at 8:29 of the first. Connor Brown tied it on the power play at 7:42 of the second, and Jack Hughes scored at 14:50 and again on the power play at 15:35 to make it 3-1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (power play, 18:16 of the second) and Leon Draisaitl (power play, 1:00 of the third) tied it 3-3. Overtime was scoreless. In the shootout, Jesper Bratt and Arseny Gritsyuk scored for New Jersey and Connor McDavid scored for Edmonton. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 18 of 21 shots in his first home game as a Devil to go 3-0, and the Devils outshot the Oilers 34-21. Jack Hughes, Nugent-Hopkins and Brown were the three stars. The Devils are 10-5-0 and host the St. Louis Blues on Thu Nov 5 at 7 PM ET. On Devils Postgame Live, James Nichols and Daniel Amoia break down how the Devils held Connor McDavid to one shot on goal and one assist, Jack Hughes' two goals and the Aspen Vodka Player of the Game, Connor Brown's move to the first power-play unit, Nico Hischier's matchup against McDavid, Luke Hughes' night and Gritsyuk's shootout winner. They also take chat questions on the penalty kill, why the Devils didn't fold after Edmonton tied it, Amadeus Lombardi against McDavid, Stefan Noesen and Brenden Dillon, the Dylan Larkin rumor, the drop pass on the power play and Winnipeg's comeback. 0:00 Pre-show 1:44 Welcome and recap: Devils 4, Oilers 3 in a shootout 3:29 Containing McDavid, the Olympics callback, Jack Hughes Player of the Game 5:39 Even-strength control, the finishing turnaround and Jack Hughes' two-way game 8:39 Connor Brown on power play one: two power-play points 12:32 Luke Hughes stays with McDavid 15:10 Chat: the power play, the penalty kill and the penalties 18:25 Hellebuyck's third win and a team that doesn't fold 20:30 McDavid shut down, a dominant second period and 4-3-0 when the opponent scores first 26:12 Nico Hischier's matchup, faceoffs and the Selke case 31:36 Jack Hughes' pace and Gritsyuk's shootout winner 36:24 Not last year's team: depth, Lombardi, Noesen and Dillon 42:22 Dylan Larkin to Boston and the Quinn Hughes question 44:34 The best home win in a while, and the shootout rant 47:35 Connor Brown's return: Devils 6-1-0 with him in the lineup 50:26 Jack and Hellebuyck vs McDavid, Lombardi's test, credit to Sunny Mehta 54:33 Defensive system at the blue line, the drop pass on the power play 1:00:02 Jets comeback, Hellebuyck's effect and sign-off Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @Daniel_Amoia ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com ➕Get more Devils coverage with NJHN+: https://plus.newjerseyhockeynow.com$4.49/month or $39.99/year, with a 7-day free trial.

    Devils Beat Oilers 4-3: Jack Hughes, Hellebuyck and Hischier Against McDavid

  2. 1d ago

    Arthur Staple on the Devils' Cup Chances: "I Think They Can Get There" | Devils Rink Report

    Arthur Staple joins Devils Rink Report to talk about what Connor Hellebuyck changes for the Devils. Are they Stanley Cup contenders? Staple's answer: "I don't know if they can win, but I think they can get there." He also explains how a top goalie lifts everyone in front of him, why only Carolina and Washington stand out to him in the Metropolitan Division, and why he thinks the Devils can beat Washington in a seven-game series. Then James Nichols previews Tuesday's game against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, goes through the week ahead, answers questions, and ranks the NHL's new Hometown Remix jerseys, including the Devils'. Recorded live Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. The Devils are 9-5-0 heading into Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. ET game at Prudential Center. 0:00 Pre-show 1:48 Welcome and news: Evan Rodrigues out sick, Oilers next 3:34 Arthur Staple joins: Winnipeg after the Hellebuyck trade 9:04 Devils weak spots and Sunny Mehta's Hellebuyck trade 15:50 Are the Devils Stanley Cup contenders? 19:35 Hellebuyck vs Carolina in a series, special teams, November 23:54 Mikhail Yegorov: the Devils goalie prospect 26:12 Sunny Mehta's next move: Dylan Larkin, Quinn Hughes 29:46 Arseny Gritsyuk, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt 33:14 Connor Brown's return and the power play 34:54 Luke Hughes: a true No. 1 defenseman? 38:21 Devils at the Islanders Saturday: DeBoer, Palat, Schaefer 43:16 James on Hellebuyck, Cory Schneider and the Devils' new belief 45:37 Oilers preview: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, depth 51:21 The week ahead: Blues, Islanders, Leafs, Jets 51:44 Questions: playing hard on pucks, Utica call-ups, Sunny Mehta, Islanders 1:02:29 Hometown Remix jersey tier list 1:22:28 Wrap-up and Oilers tomorrow night Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com

    Arthur Staple on the Devils' Cup Chances: "I Think They Can Get There" | Devils Rink Report

  3. 4d ago

    Gritsyuk's Two Goals, Hellebuyck 2-0 and the Kucherov Trade Request

    The New Jersey Devils beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 on Friday, October 30 to finish their three-game road trip 2-1-0. Luke Hughes scored first, Vegas went up 2-1 on goals from Mark Stone (power play) and Ivan Barbashev, and Arseny Gritsyuk tied it 2-2 at 18:51 of the first. Jack Hughes made it 3-2 in the second, Gritsyuk added his second of the night late in the second, and Jack Hughes scored into the empty net for his sixth of the season. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 19 of 21 shots to go 2-0 as a Devil, and New Jersey outshot Vegas 32-21. Next up: Edmonton at Prudential Center on Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30 PM ET. James Nichols and Daniel Amoia break down Gritsyuk's two goals and the shot that has Daniel pushing him onto the top power-play unit, Jack Hughes starting to score, Hellebuyck's second win as a Devil, Anthony Mantha leaving the game, and Amadeus Lombardi's night. In the chat, they take questions on the bounce back after Colorado, scoring first under Sheldon Keefe, the Nikita Kucherov trade request, the second line, Hellebuyck's home debut against Edmonton, and whether the Keefe critics have gone quiet. 00:00 Pre-show 01:46 Welcome: Devils beat Vegas 5-2 to close the road trip 02:29 Arseny Gritsyuk, Aspen Vodka player of the game 08:01 Recap: 2-2 after one, Luke and Jack Hughes goals 13:05 Connor Hellebuyck 2-0 as a Devil, Anthony Mantha leaves 15:41 Chat: Amadeus Lombardi and Gritsyuk's goal pace 21:59 Bouncing back from Colorado: process and expected goals 30:50 Gritsyuk on power play one, scoring first under Keefe 44:17 Nikita Kucherov and player trade demands 50:06 Second line: Meier, Hischier, Boqvist and Brown 52:54 Hellebuyck's home debut against Edmonton 55:40 Sheldon Keefe critics 59:14 Kucherov update and sign-off Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @Daniel_Amoia ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com

    Gritsyuk's Two Goals, Hellebuyck 2-0 and the Kucherov Trade Request

  4. 6d ago

    Devils Fall 5-2 in Colorado: Connor Brown, Jake Allen and the Power Play

    The Colorado Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Wednesday, October 28, ending the Devils' four-game win streak on the second night of a back-to-back (a 5-1 win in Dallas on Tuesday, Connor Hellebuyck's debut). Connor Brown gave the Devils a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal at 12:21 of the first period, his first goal of the season, and Gabriel Landeskog tied it on the power play in the second. Colorado then scored four times in the third period (Nazem Kadri, Parker Kelly, Nathan MacKinnon, Jaden Schwartz) before Brown added his second of the night at 15:35, assisted by Amadeus Lombardi and Cody Glass. Colorado outshot the Devils 44-22. Jake Allen made 39 saves, and the Devils went 0-for-3 on the power play. The Devils are 8-5-0 and second in the Metropolitan Division, with a game at the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, October 30 at 6 PM ET. James Nichols and Daniel Amoia break down the loss on Devils Postgame Live. They name Brown the Aspen Vodka player of the game, then talk through why this one comes with a grain of salt: the back-to-back, the altitude, and a second period Colorado controlled until Allen couldn't hold it anymore. They get into the power play, including the 5-on-3, what they'd change on the top unit, and whether Hellebuyck in net would have mattered. In the chat, they answer questions on Allen, tired legs, the Utica Comets' 4-2 start, Dylan Larkin trade odds, the trip to Vegas, how Hellebuyck and Allen will split starts, and Lombardi's development. Drop your takes in the chat 😈 00:00 Pre-show 01:45 Welcome: Devils fall 5-2 to the Avalanche in Denver 03:23 Connor Brown, Aspen Vodka player of the game 05:28 Back-to-back at altitude and Jake Allen's second period 08:28 Power play: the 5-on-3 and Jesper Bratt 11:08 Hellebuyck Tuesday, Allen Wednesday: right call? 13:20 Chat: Jake Allen, tired legs and Colorado's altitude 18:00 Utica Comets' 4-2 start and Sunny Mehta's overhaul 21:20 Connor Brown's shorthanded goal and the power-play fix 25:35 Shots 44-22, "scheduled loss" talk and no red flags 27:26 Dylan Larkin trade odds and the Devils as a destination 29:37 Vegas on Friday: road-trip math, Hellebuyck and Allen starts 34:13 Amadeus Lombardi's development 35:43 Wrap-up Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @Daniel_Amoia ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com

    Devils Fall 5-2 in Colorado: Connor Brown, Jake Allen and the Power Play

  5. Oct 28

    Hellebuyck Debut: Devils Beat Stars 5-1 | Devils Postgame Live

    The Devils beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 on Tuesday night, and Connor Hellebuyck made his Devils debut with 17 saves on 18 shots. Nico Hischier scored twice, Jesper Boqvist, Luke Hughes and Jack Hughes each added one, and New Jersey is 8-4-0 with four straight wins. James Nichols and Daniel Amoia break it all down live on Devils Rink Report: Hellebuyck's first night, Luke Hughes' play, Jack Hughes' first 5-on-5 goal, a power play that still hasn't clicked, and your Super Chats. 00:00 Pre-show 01:44 Welcome: Devils beat the Stars 5-1 in Hellebuyck's debut 04:54 Player of the game: Nico Hischier's two goals 07:27 Handling Dallas's size, plus Boqvist, Luke and Jack Hughes goals 12:02 Jack Hughes' lost tooth and the fishbowl 13:00 Super Chats: how to fix the power play 20:02 Remi Poirier, the goalie plan and Timo Meier's finishing 28:15 Hellebuyck's debut and a team coming together 41:57 Have the Devils proved it yet? Back-to-backs and scoring first 47:42 Luke Hughes and the No. 1 defenseman question 52:34 Is a Devils bandwagon coming? 1:01:00 Poirier waivers, the Rangers and who coaches the power play 1:11:13 Wrap-up: next show after the Avalanche Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @Daniel_Amoia ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com

    Hellebuyck Debut: Devils Beat Stars 5-1 | Devils Postgame Live

  6. Oct 25

    Devils Beat Kings 3-1 Postgame Reaction | Daniel Amoia | Devils Postgame Live

    The New Jersey Devils wrapped up their home stand prior to their west road trip with a 3-1 victory over the Kings. Join Daniel Amoia after the final horn to hear everything he has to say about the lines, the goaltending, the special teams, and much more. Drop your takes in the chat 😈 Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @Daniel_Amoia ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com

    Devils Beat Kings 3-1 Postgame Reaction | Daniel Amoia | Devils Postgame Live

  7. Oct 24

    Devils Trade for Connor Hellebuyck: Reaction, Grade & Debut Date | Devils Rink Report

    The New Jersey Devils traded for Connor Hellebuyck. James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now breaks down the full deal: Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, the rights to Alexander Command and two picks go to Winnipeg, and Sunny Mehta keeps every first-round pick. We get into the A-minus grade, the cap math with no retained salary, when Hellebuyck could debut (Oct. 30 at Vegas or Nov. 3 vs. Edmonton?), Remi Poirier vs. Dallas, the Taylor Hall trade tree, and what this means for Quinn Hughes and Dylan Larkin. 🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell. Devils Postgame Live streams after every Devils game. 🎧 Listen to Devils Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every podcast app. 📰 Devils coverage every day: https://newjerseyhockeynow.com (https://newjerseyhockeynow.com/) ⭐ NJHN+ exclusives with James and Daniel Amoia: https://plus.newjerseyhockeynow.com (https://plus.newjerseyhockeynow.com/) ($4.49/mo or $39.99/yr, 7-day free trial) CHAPTERS 0:00 Pre-show 2:00 Connor Hellebuyck is a Devil 4:00 The trade: Mercer, Command, Daws, Bjugstad 6:00 Sunny Mehta keeps all his first-round picks 7:00 Why Dawson Mercer was expendable 8:30 What losing Alexander Command really means 10:30 No retained salary: the cap math 12:00 Hellebuyck fixes the Devils' biggest weakness 13:30 Sunny Mehta the poker player 14:30 Trade grade: A-minus 15:00 When will Hellebuyck be ready? 17:00 An "Infinity Gauntlet" Stanley Cup move 19:30 Chat: is Command a big loss? Yegorov stays 21:00 Yegorov and Hellebuyck long term 24:00 The Taylor Hall trade tree 25:00 How I handle trade rumors 27:30 Debut date: Oct. 30 at Vegas or Nov. 3 vs. Edmonton? 29:30 Did Lombardi make Mercer expendable? New lines 33:00 Jets fan: can Hellebuyck win in the playoffs? 36:30 Is age 33 a concern? 38:30 The Bobrovsky blueprint 40:30 Should Remy Poirier start in Dallas? 43:30 Was there a third team in the deal? 46:00 Are the Devils "boring"? 51:30 Are the Devils Stanley Cup contenders now? 55:30 Can they still get Larkin? Mantha, Dillon, Glass 58:00 How the Barrett Hayden offer sheet blocked Utah 1:00:00 Quinn Hughes and Dougie Hamilton's future 1:04:30 Does Hellebuyck help land Quinn Hughes? 1:09:30 Will Brenden Dillon get moved? 1:12:30 Can this team survive the playoffs? 1:16:00 Are the Devils too small? 1:17:00 Hellebuyck's new mask 1:18:30 The Wild's reaction 1:20:30 What to watch Saturday vs. the Kings 1:23:30 Cap space and forward depth 1:27:00 Can both teams win this trade? 1:29:00 Would Larkin fit? The Carolina-style game 1:34:00 Sabres fans react 1:35:30 Wrap-up #NJDevils #Hellebuyck #NHLTrade

    Devils Trade for Connor Hellebuyck: Reaction, Grade & Debut Date | Devils Rink Report

  8. Oct 23

    Devils Beat Ducks 4-1: Luke Hughes' Breakout Defensive Night, Gritsyuk Stays Hot & Connor Brown's Impact

    The Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 at Prudential Center to move to 6-4. Arseny Gritsyuk scored again, Nico Hischier's power-play goal held up as the winner and Nico Daws stopped 16 of 17 shots. James Nichols and Daniel Amoia break down Luke Hughes' best defensive game of the season and Sheldon Keefe's "one of the best defenders in the league" quote. They also get into why Keefe still wants more from Gritsyuk, Connor Brown's impact since returning and your questions from the chat. CHAPTERS 0:00 Show start 1:45 Devils beat Ducks 4-1: instant reaction 2:48 Player of the game: Luke Hughes & Keefe's big quote 5:18 Gritsyuk scores off Bratt's setup, but Keefe wants more 8:26 Keefe: "Game 10 of 84," consistency is the test 10:29 Ducks' second-period push & Nico Daws' 16 saves 13:39 Connor Brown's return, the penalty kill & Amadeus Lombardi 17:36 Chances finally turning into goals, under 30 shots 19:36 Chat: Why can't the Devils play a full 60? 21:28 Expected goals vs. finishing: Devils lead the NHL in xG% 25:15 Luke Evangelista's fit with Hischier & Meier, Sunny Mehta's eye 27:11 Game score: Jack Hughes, Bratt & Gritsyuk lead the way 29:05 Is Nico Hischier hurt? Bratt wrist update & Daws poll 32:04 Scoring depth, Mantha's goal & why scoring first matters 35:30 Is sitting Amadeus Lombardi the right call?38:04 Winning without Jack Hughes & Bratt at full speed 40:17 Why Keefe wasn't happy with Gritsyuk & his new tone on this team 46:18 Evan Rodrigues' checking line by the numbers 48:22 Good team to great team: consistency, special teams, goaltending 51:44 Gritsyuk fan club & the Devils' low preseason expectations 53:55 Wrap-up & Kings on Saturday Follow us on social: ✅ @JamesNicholsNHL ✅ @Daniel_Amoia ✅ @NJDHockeyNow 🚨 Check out our live episodes and jump in the chat 🚨 🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a Devils Postgame Live: https://www.youtube.com/@DevilsRinkReport?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 Listen to Devils Rink Report on Apple Podcasts and Spotify ⭐ Get NJHN+ for $4.49/month or $39.99/year with a 7-day free trial: https://plus.newjerseyhockeynow.com 🤓 Read about the Devils at newjerseyhockeynow.com

    Devils Beat Ducks 4-1: Luke Hughes' Breakout Defensive Night, Gritsyuk Stays Hot & Connor Brown's Impact
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Devils Rink Report is the New Jersey Devils podcast from New Jersey Hockey Now beat reporter James Nichols. After every Devils game, James and Daniel Amoia host Devils Postgame Live, the NJ Devils postgame show: goals, lines, goaltending, special teams, the chat's best questions, and what's next for the Devils. Plus weekly guest episodes with NHL insiders and voices from around the league, prospect coverage, and breaking trade and roster news. James Nichols is a credentialed Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now and Chair of the PHWA's New Jersey Chapter, covering the NHL since 2015. You may also hear him on SiriusXM NHL Radio. ▶ Watch Devils Postgame Live and join the chat: https://www.youtube.com/@DevilsRinkReport 📰 Devils news and analysis: https://newjerseyhockeynow.com ✅ Follow: @JamesNicholsNHL · @NJDHockeyNow New episodes after every Devils game. Follow the show, and if you like it, leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other Devils fans find us.

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